SAN MARTIN (KCBS) — After much debate, a proposal to build an Islamic center in southern Santa Clara County has been unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.

The Cordoba Center will be built off Monterey Highway in San Martin, between Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Supporters of the center pleaded with Santa Clara County Supervisors to finally give the go ahead for the new mosque. The center was named after the Spanish medieval city known for religious tolerance.

The 16-acre facility is designed to host 80 people a day, smaller than the group requested. But some San Martin residents, including Karen Harley, argued that the mosque was too big for the water supply in the rural area.

KCBS’ Matt Bigler Reports:

“This group has ignored that and is asking for more people than any test shows is responsible,” Haley said.

Hamdy Abbass, spokesman for the South Valley Islamic Community said it has been a frustrating journey.

“We really were attacked viciously by rumors and misinformation to the public at our expense,” Abbass said.

He said the center will be built as soon as possible.

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KCBS's Matt Bigler started as a reporter/anchor in 2004, and is now based in San Jose working out of the Silicon Valley Bureau. Matt co-anchors the 5:00am hour with Susan Leigh Taylor in San Francisco, and can also be seen on TV most mornings...